So I decided that I'd ask her to marry me.
Or ask her if she would marry me.
Or say that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.
Or tell her I loved her, and that I wanted her to be with me forever.
Or give her a ring -- a big, huge diamond ring. Or just get down on my
knees and let my eyes say it all.
Well, I had reached a decision. What exactly I was going to do about
it, I didn't know -- at least not yet.
It's now exactly one year since the first time I had started talking
with her-- an anniversary of sorts. I remembered, because that
>first time was New Year.
And tomorrow it's New Year again.
And we had become close friends.
And I had fallen in love.
And since I am a simple-minded sort of guy, I have decided I want to
marry her.
But How to tell her, though, was a bit of a problem.
There were so many ways to do it and choosing the right one wasn't
easy. And I had no idea how she'd react.
Would she think I was moving too fast?
Was it too early to suggest marriage?
Was she even interested in me in that way?
Surely, the best way to find out was to tell her how I felt, and ask
her if she felt the same.
And if she did, then we could get married. Right?
These thoughts had been in my head from the moment I had
>woken up that morning. And I'd only been awake a few minutes. As I finished
>brushing my teeth, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi!" It was her.
The sound of her cheery voice took my breath away. "Hi!" I replied,
almost whispering.
"Listen," she said, sounding very excited. "I'm having a
>party at home tonight. Be there at eight."
"Sure," I replied.
"Ok, bye!" And she put the phone down.
I stood there for almost a minute, staring at the phone in my hand.
And then I stupidly said "Bye" to it.
I would have to reach the party early, to tell her in private. Or
should I say it right there in front of all the guests? Or after the
party, when we were cleaning up after everyone was gone?
And what was I going to get her? Should I get her anything at
>all? How
about flowers? Roses? Or was that too clichéd?
Orchids sounded better.
Or bluebells.
Or tulips.
Or cauliflower.
I checked my thoughts. No. Not cauliflower.
It's New Year.
A gift was definitely in order.
I could get her that moonstone pendant she liked so much.
But then it was a little flimsy as a gift.
It was really a toy more than a piece of jewellery.
But did it matter if she really liked it?
Should I get her a book instead?
Or a CD?
Or an earring?
Or should I make her something?
I thought about my artistic skills and decided that that was probably
not a good idea.
I spent so much time looking for a suitable gift all day that by the
time I decided that flowers would be a better option, all the florists had closed.
And it was also too late to try to get to her house early and catch her alone.
So I decided I'd tell her after the party when everyone was gone. And
that I wouldn't get her anything -- more because I couldn't, than
anything else.
Feeling like a fool, and extremely nervous, I reached her doorstep. I
was on time, but there didn't seem to be any noise coming from inside.
Maybe no one had turned up yet. After all, who came to a party on time?
I stood there and composed myself for a minute.
Then, reasonably confident that the turmoil I was going through
wouldn't show, I knocked.
She opened the door, but only a fraction.
She slid out without opening the door completely, handed me a
>piece of cloth, and told me to tie it around my eyes. "We're playing
>Blind Man's Buff," she said.
Meekly, I put the blindfold on, and she led me into the house. There
was silence, and no one was making a sound. Quite sneaky of
>everyone, I thought to myself.
She spun me around a little, and then made me stop.
She backed away, and then said from somewhere behind me, "Ok, you can
take it off now."
Though a little confused as to what version of Blind Man's Buff was
played after taking the blindfold off, I complied.
And as soon as I opened my eyes, I froze.
I was standing in the middle of her empty living room, and the lights
had all been turned off. But the room was brightly lit with dozens of
candles.
And on the wall in front of me, was a big poster with the following
words on it:
One year ago, this day we met.
There was an arrow pointing to the right, beside the poster.
So I turned. On the next wall were the words:
One year of friendship
One year of joy
One year of laughter
between a girl and a boy
One year of comfort
One year of closeness
One year of peace
and a whole lot of happiness
On the third wall, was:
One year or Six,
a lifetime it seems,
And yet, it feels just like yesterday
I turned to look at the fourth wall, and there, standing in front of
it, was she, holding up a poster in her hands that said:
I want to be this happy forever
Will You Marry Me?
Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Friday, March 9, 2007
Hilarious joke -- Never tease a woman!
A woman goes to Italy to attend a 2-week, company training session.
Her husband drives her to the airport and wishes her to have a good trip.
The wife answers : "Thank you honey, what would you like me to bring for you?"
The husband laughs and says: "An Italian girl !!!"
The woman kept quiet and left.
Two weeks later he picks her up in the airport and asks: "So, honey, how was the trip?"
"Very good, thank you." "And, what happened to my present?"
"Which present?" She asked.
"The one I asked for - an Italian girl!!"
"Oh, that" she said
"Well, I did what I could, now we have to wait for few months to see if it is a girl !!!"
Moral of the story: Don't tempt a woman, they are dangerously intelligent!
Her husband drives her to the airport and wishes her to have a good trip.
The wife answers : "Thank you honey, what would you like me to bring for you?"
The husband laughs and says: "An Italian girl !!!"
The woman kept quiet and left.
Two weeks later he picks her up in the airport and asks: "So, honey, how was the trip?"
"Very good, thank you." "And, what happened to my present?"
"Which present?" She asked.
"The one I asked for - an Italian girl!!"
"Oh, that" she said
"Well, I did what I could, now we have to wait for few months to see if it is a girl !!!"
Moral of the story: Don't tempt a woman, they are dangerously intelligent!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Indian culture - too good!
A ship sank in high seas and the following people got stranded on a
beautiful deserted island in the middle of nowhere:
A. 2 Italian men and 1 Italian woman
B. 2 French men and 1 French woman
C. 2 German men and 1 German woman
D. 2 Greek men and 1 Greek woman
E. 2 Polish men and 1 Polish woman
F. 2 Mexican men and 1 Mexican woman
G. 2 Indian men and 1 Indian woman
What a Crazy coincidence!
One month later, on various parts of the island,the following was
observed:
A. One Italian man killed the other Italian man for the Italian woman.
B. The two French men and the French woman are living happily together.
C. The two German men have a strict weekly schedule of when they spend
with the German woman.
D. The two Greek men are happy together, and the Greek woman is cooking
& cleaning for them.
E. The two Polish men took a long look at the endless ocean and a long
look at the Polish woman, and they started swimming.
F. The two Mexican men are talking to all the other men on the island
trying to sell them the Mexican woman.
G. What happened to the Indians????
scroll down......
--
The 2 Indian men are still waiting for someone to introduce them to the
Indian woman!
beautiful deserted island in the middle of nowhere:
A. 2 Italian men and 1 Italian woman
B. 2 French men and 1 French woman
C. 2 German men and 1 German woman
D. 2 Greek men and 1 Greek woman
E. 2 Polish men and 1 Polish woman
F. 2 Mexican men and 1 Mexican woman
G. 2 Indian men and 1 Indian woman
What a Crazy coincidence!
One month later, on various parts of the island,the following was
observed:
A. One Italian man killed the other Italian man for the Italian woman.
B. The two French men and the French woman are living happily together.
C. The two German men have a strict weekly schedule of when they spend
with the German woman.
D. The two Greek men are happy together, and the Greek woman is cooking
& cleaning for them.
E. The two Polish men took a long look at the endless ocean and a long
look at the Polish woman, and they started swimming.
F. The two Mexican men are talking to all the other men on the island
trying to sell them the Mexican woman.
G. What happened to the Indians????
scroll down......
--
The 2 Indian men are still waiting for someone to introduce them to the
Indian woman!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Inititative matters!
Some years ago, three brothers left the farm to work in the city. They were all hired by the same company at the same pay. Three years later, Jim was being paid $500 a month, Frank was receiving $1,000, but George was now making $1,500.
Their father decided to visit the employer. He listened to the confused father and said, "I will let the boys explain for themselves."
Jim was summoned to the supervisor's office and was told, "Jim, I understand the Far East Importers has just brought in a large transport plane loaded with Japanese import goods. Will you please go over to the airport and get a cargo inventory?"
Three minutes later, Jim returned to the office. "The cargo was one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," Jim reported. "I got the information over the telephone from a member of the crew."
When Jim left, Frank, the $1,000 a month brother, was called. "Frank," said the supervisor, "I wish you'd go out to the airport and get an inventory of the cargo plane which was just brought in by Far East Importers."
An hour later, Frank was back in the office with a list showing that the plane carried 1,000 bolts of Japanese silk, 500 transistor radios, and 1,000 hand painted bamboo trays. George, the $1,500 a month brother, was given identical instructions. Working hours were over when he finally returned.
"The transport plane carried one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," he began. "It was on sale at sixty dollars a bolt, so I took a two-day option on the whole lot. I have wired a designer in New York offering the silk at seventy-five dollars a bolt. I expect to have the order tomorrow. I also found five hundred transistor radios, which I sold over the telephone at a profit of $2.30 each. There were a thousand bamboo trays, but they were of poor quality, so I didn't try to do anything with them."
When George left the office, the employer smiled. "You probably noticed," he said, "that Jim doesn't do what he's told, Frank does only what he'd told, but George does without being told."
The future is full of promise for one who shows initiative.
Their father decided to visit the employer. He listened to the confused father and said, "I will let the boys explain for themselves."
Jim was summoned to the supervisor's office and was told, "Jim, I understand the Far East Importers has just brought in a large transport plane loaded with Japanese import goods. Will you please go over to the airport and get a cargo inventory?"
Three minutes later, Jim returned to the office. "The cargo was one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," Jim reported. "I got the information over the telephone from a member of the crew."
When Jim left, Frank, the $1,000 a month brother, was called. "Frank," said the supervisor, "I wish you'd go out to the airport and get an inventory of the cargo plane which was just brought in by Far East Importers."
An hour later, Frank was back in the office with a list showing that the plane carried 1,000 bolts of Japanese silk, 500 transistor radios, and 1,000 hand painted bamboo trays. George, the $1,500 a month brother, was given identical instructions. Working hours were over when he finally returned.
"The transport plane carried one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," he began. "It was on sale at sixty dollars a bolt, so I took a two-day option on the whole lot. I have wired a designer in New York offering the silk at seventy-five dollars a bolt. I expect to have the order tomorrow. I also found five hundred transistor radios, which I sold over the telephone at a profit of $2.30 each. There were a thousand bamboo trays, but they were of poor quality, so I didn't try to do anything with them."
When George left the office, the employer smiled. "You probably noticed," he said, "that Jim doesn't do what he's told, Frank does only what he'd told, but George does without being told."
The future is full of promise for one who shows initiative.
Monday, February 26, 2007
A Touching story!
“So, is this your first trip to a temple in the US?” asked his Manager driving the car and trying to make a conversation. But he was hardly listening and seemed lost in a world of his own. He was still upset over the whole episode with her and it seemed to him as if he was complicating matters for himself. When his Manager offered a ride to the Satyanarayanan Temple in Middletown he obliged just to escape from himself.
The problem with most of Indians is that we fail to draw a fine line between our professional and personal lives. We call our girlfriend, husband, Mom, friend in our office time and prepare documents, test plans, discuss appraisals at home. Then we end up screwing both professional and personal lives and end up dissatisfied. Two days before had finished a client presentation and was awaiting the result and it turned negative. He was in a foul mood and it was then that she called. He blasted his anger over her and switched over his mobile. The easiest thing for anyone of us is to release our anger on our near and dear ones as we take them for granted and he had done the same. It had been 2 days since and he had not called her and neither returned her calls a day before.
They parked their car outside in the parking lot which had lot of Honda’s, Toyota’s and Nissan’s which suggested the abundance presence of Indian fraternity inside the temple. The Middletown Satyanarayanan temple looked beautiful. It had a traditional Hindu construction with a Dravidian styled stepped pyramid structure. As they left their footwear before in the corridor he noticed a sign which read “Visa/Master card accepted for donations”. Seems that God had got wind of the fact that people produce counterfeit money and so now had decided to rely on advanced technology.
God it was nice to see someone clad in Churidar and Saree. In the beginning he had enjoyed the sight of women dressed in short skirts and tops and whatsoever, but as days progressed he realized that he yearned to see someone in traditional Indian dress and seems as if today his prayers were answered. Although when he looked at one women he got reminded of her. He was reminded how he used to go around the temple in his neighborhood holding his hand in hers. He moved forward and looked at the marble murthi of Radhe Krishna. Born and brought up in a south Indian environment he grew up to stone structures of gods and the marble one reminded him of the Marwadi temple in his neighborhood.
There was a sign which read “Cell Phones should not be used here” although a gentleman on his left was praying with a blue tooth device attached. Everyone around was praying something while he seemed lost in her thoughts. If there was bell outside God’s premises for prayers, maybe it was ringing damn loud now. The children seemed unaware of this and were running around playing hide and seek. One child was whispering something in Nandhi’s ear which reminded him of the same thing he did when he was studying in 3rd standard about a passmark in the Maths paper. Eventually he failed and cursed god for sometime about that.
Just then a women started to sing Vaishnava Janato and the whole atmosphere changed. There was something divine in her voice which made him break into a million pieces. He realized that his ego walls stood nowhere near his strong love for her. That was all that he could hold on to and he walked out of the temple and dialed the only number he remembered by heart. He said “Ma, Will you sing Vaishnava Janato for me?”
8000 odd miles and 10 and half hours apart his mother had no idea for her son’s sudden urge of viewers request. But as all moms do, she willfully obliged.
Halfway through the song, he was close to tears and confessed “Ma, did I tell you that I love you more than anything else on earth?”
Her reply was simple and sweet “You need not son”.
The problem with most of Indians is that we fail to draw a fine line between our professional and personal lives. We call our girlfriend, husband, Mom, friend in our office time and prepare documents, test plans, discuss appraisals at home. Then we end up screwing both professional and personal lives and end up dissatisfied. Two days before had finished a client presentation and was awaiting the result and it turned negative. He was in a foul mood and it was then that she called. He blasted his anger over her and switched over his mobile. The easiest thing for anyone of us is to release our anger on our near and dear ones as we take them for granted and he had done the same. It had been 2 days since and he had not called her and neither returned her calls a day before.
They parked their car outside in the parking lot which had lot of Honda’s, Toyota’s and Nissan’s which suggested the abundance presence of Indian fraternity inside the temple. The Middletown Satyanarayanan temple looked beautiful. It had a traditional Hindu construction with a Dravidian styled stepped pyramid structure. As they left their footwear before in the corridor he noticed a sign which read “Visa/Master card accepted for donations”. Seems that God had got wind of the fact that people produce counterfeit money and so now had decided to rely on advanced technology.
God it was nice to see someone clad in Churidar and Saree. In the beginning he had enjoyed the sight of women dressed in short skirts and tops and whatsoever, but as days progressed he realized that he yearned to see someone in traditional Indian dress and seems as if today his prayers were answered. Although when he looked at one women he got reminded of her. He was reminded how he used to go around the temple in his neighborhood holding his hand in hers. He moved forward and looked at the marble murthi of Radhe Krishna. Born and brought up in a south Indian environment he grew up to stone structures of gods and the marble one reminded him of the Marwadi temple in his neighborhood.
There was a sign which read “Cell Phones should not be used here” although a gentleman on his left was praying with a blue tooth device attached. Everyone around was praying something while he seemed lost in her thoughts. If there was bell outside God’s premises for prayers, maybe it was ringing damn loud now. The children seemed unaware of this and were running around playing hide and seek. One child was whispering something in Nandhi’s ear which reminded him of the same thing he did when he was studying in 3rd standard about a passmark in the Maths paper. Eventually he failed and cursed god for sometime about that.
Just then a women started to sing Vaishnava Janato and the whole atmosphere changed. There was something divine in her voice which made him break into a million pieces. He realized that his ego walls stood nowhere near his strong love for her. That was all that he could hold on to and he walked out of the temple and dialed the only number he remembered by heart. He said “Ma, Will you sing Vaishnava Janato for me?”
8000 odd miles and 10 and half hours apart his mother had no idea for her son’s sudden urge of viewers request. But as all moms do, she willfully obliged.
Halfway through the song, he was close to tears and confessed “Ma, did I tell you that I love you more than anything else on earth?”
Her reply was simple and sweet “You need not son”.
Old Story, New climax
A Bihari hat-seller who was passing by a forest
decided to take a nap under one of the trees, so he left
his whole basket of hats
by the side.
A few hours later, he woke up and
realized that all his hats were gone.
He looked up and to his surprise, the
tree was full of monkeys
and they had taken all his hats. The Bihari
sits down and thinks of how he can get the hats down.
While thinking he started to scratch his
head. The next moment,the monkeys were doing the same. Next, he
took down his own hat,
the monkeys did exactly the same. An idea
came to him, he took
his
hat and threw it on the floor and the
monkeys did that too. So he
finally managed to get all his hats back.
Fifty years later, his grandson, Baloo,
also became a hat-seller
and had heard this monkey story from his
grandfather. One day,
just like his grandfather, he passed by
the same forest. It was
very hot, and he took a nap under the
same tree and left the hats
on the floor.
He woke up and realized that all his
hats were taken by the
monkeys on the tree. He remembered his
grand father's words,
started scratching his head and the
monkeys followed. He took
down
his hat and fanned himself and again the
monkeys followed. Now,
very convinced of his grandfather's idea,
Baloo threw his hat on
the floor but to his surprise, the
monkeys still held on to all
the hats. Then one monkey climbed down
the tree, grabbed the hat
on the floor, gave him a slap and said
Guess What????????
"You think only you have a grandfather?"
decided to take a nap under one of the trees, so he left
his whole basket of hats
by the side.
A few hours later, he woke up and
realized that all his hats were gone.
He looked up and to his surprise, the
tree was full of monkeys
and they had taken all his hats. The Bihari
sits down and thinks of how he can get the hats down.
While thinking he started to scratch his
head. The next moment,the monkeys were doing the same. Next, he
took down his own hat,
the monkeys did exactly the same. An idea
came to him, he took
his
hat and threw it on the floor and the
monkeys did that too. So he
finally managed to get all his hats back.
Fifty years later, his grandson, Baloo,
also became a hat-seller
and had heard this monkey story from his
grandfather. One day,
just like his grandfather, he passed by
the same forest. It was
very hot, and he took a nap under the
same tree and left the hats
on the floor.
He woke up and realized that all his
hats were taken by the
monkeys on the tree. He remembered his
grand father's words,
started scratching his head and the
monkeys followed. He took
down
his hat and fanned himself and again the
monkeys followed. Now,
very convinced of his grandfather's idea,
Baloo threw his hat on
the floor but to his surprise, the
monkeys still held on to all
the hats. Then one monkey climbed down
the tree, grabbed the hat
on the floor, gave him a slap and said
Guess What????????
"You think only you have a grandfather?"
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Either her way or no way!
Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, If after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death. The question was: What do women really want?
Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, And to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, He accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end. He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: The princess, the priests, the wise men, and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consult the old witch, For only she would have the answer.
But the price would be high as the witch was famous through out the Kingdom >>for the exorbitant prices she charged. The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first. The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, The most noble of the Knights of the Round Table, And Arthur's closest friend!
Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunch-backed and hideous, had only one tooth, Smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life. He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden, But Lancelot, having learnt of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life. And the preservation of the Round Table.
Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered. Arthur's question thus: "What a woman really wants?" She said, "Is to be in charge of her own life." Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth. And that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was. The neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom. And Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding.
The honeymoon hour approached and, Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened. The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, She would henceforth be her horrible and deformed self only half the time. And the beautiful maiden the other half. "Which would you prefer? She asked him. "Beautiful during the day ... or at night?"
Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day he could have a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, But at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch! Or, Would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day? But by night a beautiful woman for him to enjoy with?
(If you are a man reading this...) What would YOUR choice be?
(If you are a woman reading this?) What would YOUR MAN'S choice be?
What Lancelot chose, is given below:
BUT... make YOUR choice before you scroll down below...OKAY?
Noble Lancelot, knowing the answer the witch gave Arthur to his question, He said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself. Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time. Because, he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life.
Now... what is the moral to this story?
The moral is...
1) There is witch in every woman no matter how beautiful she is!
2) If you don't let a woman have her own way, things are going to get ugly.
So, always remember: IT'S EITHER "HER WAY" OR IT'S "NO WAY" !!!
Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, And to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, He accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end. He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: The princess, the priests, the wise men, and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consult the old witch, For only she would have the answer.
But the price would be high as the witch was famous through out the Kingdom >>for the exorbitant prices she charged. The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first. The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, The most noble of the Knights of the Round Table, And Arthur's closest friend!
Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunch-backed and hideous, had only one tooth, Smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life. He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden, But Lancelot, having learnt of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life. And the preservation of the Round Table.
Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered. Arthur's question thus: "What a woman really wants?" She said, "Is to be in charge of her own life." Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth. And that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was. The neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom. And Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding.
The honeymoon hour approached and, Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened. The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, She would henceforth be her horrible and deformed self only half the time. And the beautiful maiden the other half. "Which would you prefer? She asked him. "Beautiful during the day ... or at night?"
Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day he could have a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, But at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch! Or, Would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day? But by night a beautiful woman for him to enjoy with?
(If you are a man reading this...) What would YOUR choice be?
(If you are a woman reading this?) What would YOUR MAN'S choice be?
What Lancelot chose, is given below:
BUT... make YOUR choice before you scroll down below...OKAY?
Noble Lancelot, knowing the answer the witch gave Arthur to his question, He said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself. Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time. Because, he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life.
Now... what is the moral to this story?
The moral is...
1) There is witch in every woman no matter how beautiful she is!
2) If you don't let a woman have her own way, things are going to get ugly.
So, always remember: IT'S EITHER "HER WAY" OR IT'S "NO WAY" !!!
Amazing story!
A small story about Great place to work.
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said,"
Lord,I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.
The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and
the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round
table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled
delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around
the table were thin and sickly.
They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long
handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and
take a spoonful,but because the handle was longer than their arms, they
could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered
at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, "You have
seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same
as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of
stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped
with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well
nourished and plump,laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't
understand"." It is simple said the Lord, "it requires only one skill.
You see, they have learned to feed each other. While the greedy think
only of themselves."
Moral:
Its people's attitude that makes our place of work, a hell or heaven to
them!! 'Help and Seek Help' this makes all the difference to each
individual's life...and makes our lives hell or otherwise.
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said,"
Lord,I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.
The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and
the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round
table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled
delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around
the table were thin and sickly.
They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long
handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and
take a spoonful,but because the handle was longer than their arms, they
could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered
at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, "You have
seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same
as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of
stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped
with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well
nourished and plump,laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't
understand"." It is simple said the Lord, "it requires only one skill.
You see, they have learned to feed each other. While the greedy think
only of themselves."
Moral:
Its people's attitude that makes our place of work, a hell or heaven to
them!! 'Help and Seek Help' this makes all the difference to each
individual's life...and makes our lives hell or otherwise.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Problems and solutions
Case 1
When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (ink won't flow down to the writing surface). To solve this problem, it took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C.
And what did the Russians do...?? They used a pencil.
Case 2
One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soapbox, which happened in one of Japan's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soapbox that was empty. Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly! line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soapbox went through the assembly line empty. Management asked its engineers to solve the problem. Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soapboxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent a whoopee amount to do so.
But when a rank-and-file employee in a small company was posed with the same problem, he did not get into complications of X-rays, etc., but instead came out with another solution. He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soapbox passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.
Moral
Always look for simple solutions.
Always Focus on solutions & not on problems. So at the end of the day, the thing that really matters is HOW WE LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM.
Celebrate Life ... Great Week ahead...
When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (ink won't flow down to the writing surface). To solve this problem, it took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C.
And what did the Russians do...?? They used a pencil.
Case 2
One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soapbox, which happened in one of Japan's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soapbox that was empty. Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly! line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soapbox went through the assembly line empty. Management asked its engineers to solve the problem. Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soapboxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent a whoopee amount to do so.
But when a rank-and-file employee in a small company was posed with the same problem, he did not get into complications of X-rays, etc., but instead came out with another solution. He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soapbox passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.
Moral
Always look for simple solutions.
Always Focus on solutions & not on problems. So at the end of the day, the thing that really matters is HOW WE LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM.
Celebrate Life ... Great Week ahead...
The 90/10 principle
Have you read this before? Discover the 90/10 Principle.
It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations). What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.
What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%.
The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light, but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.
Let's use an example.
You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work.You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing Rs. 200/- traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.
Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is "D".
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.
Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED/RESPONDED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your action. Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it.
The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle. It CAN change your life!!!
Celebrate Life...
It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations). What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.
What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%.
The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light, but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.
Let's use an example.
You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work.You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing Rs. 200/- traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.
Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is "D".
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.
Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED/RESPONDED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your action. Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it.
The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle. It CAN change your life!!!
Celebrate Life...
Good story!
Two men went fishing. One was an experienced fisherman, the other wasn't. Every time the experienced fisherman caught a big fish, he put it in his ice chest to keep it fresh. Whenever the inexperienced fisherman caught a big fish, he threw it back.
The experienced fisherman watched this go on all day and finally got tired of seeing the man waste good fish. "Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?" he asked.
The inexperienced fisherman replied, "I only have a small frying pan."
Sometimes, we, like that fisherman, throwback the big plans, big dreams, big jobs, big opportunities that we get because our faith is too small to hold the big dream or big opportunity.
We laugh at that fisherman who didn't figure out that all he needed was a bigger frying pan, yet how ready are we to increase the size of our faith?
Whether it's a problem or a possibility, it will never come to you if you can’t handle it. That means we can confidently walk into anything that comes our way.
REMEMBER:
No problem is unsolvable, no adversary is insuperable, and no peak is unconquerable. All limitations are in our faith.
Don't be frightened by obstacles for you are destined to overcome them.
Celebrate Life ... Great Week ahead...
The experienced fisherman watched this go on all day and finally got tired of seeing the man waste good fish. "Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?" he asked.
The inexperienced fisherman replied, "I only have a small frying pan."
Sometimes, we, like that fisherman, throwback the big plans, big dreams, big jobs, big opportunities that we get because our faith is too small to hold the big dream or big opportunity.
We laugh at that fisherman who didn't figure out that all he needed was a bigger frying pan, yet how ready are we to increase the size of our faith?
Whether it's a problem or a possibility, it will never come to you if you can’t handle it. That means we can confidently walk into anything that comes our way.
REMEMBER:
No problem is unsolvable, no adversary is insuperable, and no peak is unconquerable. All limitations are in our faith.
Don't be frightened by obstacles for you are destined to overcome them.
Celebrate Life ... Great Week ahead...
The gr8 Indian story!
OLD VERSION...
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold.
MODERN VERSION...
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving. NDTV, BBC, CNN show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Arundhati Roy stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house.
Medha Patkar goes on a fast along with other grasshoppers demanding that grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter.
Amnesty International and Koffi Annan criticize the Indian Government for not upholding the fundamental rights of the grasshopper.
The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the grasshopper (many promising Heaven and Everlasting Peace for prompt support as against the wrath of God for non-compliance) .
Opposition MP's stage a walkout.
Left parties call for "Bharat Bandh" in West Bengal and Kerala demanding a Judicial Enquiry. CPM in Kerala immediately passes a law preventing Ants from working hard in the heat so as to bring about equality of poverty among ants and grasshoppers.
Lalu Prasad allocates one free coach to Grasshoppers on all Indian Railway Trains, aptly named as the 'Grasshopper Rath'.
Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the Prevention of Terrorism Against Grasshoppers Act [POTAGA]", with effect from the beginning of the winter.
Arjun Singh makes Special Reservation for Grass Hopper in educational Institutions & in Govt Services.
The ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by
the Government and handed over to the grasshopper in a ceremony covered by NDTV.
Arundhati Roy calls it "a triumph of justice". Lalu calls it 'Socialistic Justice'. CPM calls it the 'revolutionary resurgence of the downtrodden' Koffi Annan invites the grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly.
MANY YEARS LATER...
The ant has since migrated to the US and set up a multi billion dollar company in silicon valley.100s of grasshoppers still die of starvation despite reservation somewhere in India......
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold.
MODERN VERSION...
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving. NDTV, BBC, CNN show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Arundhati Roy stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house.
Medha Patkar goes on a fast along with other grasshoppers demanding that grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter.
Amnesty International and Koffi Annan criticize the Indian Government for not upholding the fundamental rights of the grasshopper.
The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the grasshopper (many promising Heaven and Everlasting Peace for prompt support as against the wrath of God for non-compliance) .
Opposition MP's stage a walkout.
Left parties call for "Bharat Bandh" in West Bengal and Kerala demanding a Judicial Enquiry. CPM in Kerala immediately passes a law preventing Ants from working hard in the heat so as to bring about equality of poverty among ants and grasshoppers.
Lalu Prasad allocates one free coach to Grasshoppers on all Indian Railway Trains, aptly named as the 'Grasshopper Rath'.
Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the Prevention of Terrorism Against Grasshoppers Act [POTAGA]", with effect from the beginning of the winter.
Arjun Singh makes Special Reservation for Grass Hopper in educational Institutions & in Govt Services.
The ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by
the Government and handed over to the grasshopper in a ceremony covered by NDTV.
Arundhati Roy calls it "a triumph of justice". Lalu calls it 'Socialistic Justice'. CPM calls it the 'revolutionary resurgence of the downtrodden' Koffi Annan invites the grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly.
MANY YEARS LATER...
The ant has since migrated to the US and set up a multi billion dollar company in silicon valley.100s of grasshoppers still die of starvation despite reservation somewhere in India......
U can not hold your laugh!
U can not hold your laugh………………………
A little boy wanted Rs.50 very badly and prayed for weeks, but nothing
happened. Finally he decided to write God a letter requesting the
Rs.50.
When the postal authorities received the letter addressed to God,
INDIA,
they decided to forward it to the President of India as a joke.
The President was so amused, that he instructed his secretary to send
the little boy Rs.20. The President thought this would appear to be a
lot of money to a little boy, and he did not want to spoil the kid. The
little boy was delighted with Rs.20, and decided to write a thank you
note to God, which read:
"Dear God: Thank you very much for sending the money.
However, I noticed that you sent it through the Rashtrapati Bhavan
in New Delhi, and those donkeys deducted Rs.30 in taxes ...."
A little boy wanted Rs.50 very badly and prayed for weeks, but nothing
happened. Finally he decided to write God a letter requesting the
Rs.50.
When the postal authorities received the letter addressed to God,
INDIA,
they decided to forward it to the President of India as a joke.
The President was so amused, that he instructed his secretary to send
the little boy Rs.20. The President thought this would appear to be a
lot of money to a little boy, and he did not want to spoil the kid. The
little boy was delighted with Rs.20, and decided to write a thank you
note to God, which read:
"Dear God: Thank you very much for sending the money.
However, I noticed that you sent it through the Rashtrapati Bhavan
in New Delhi, and those donkeys deducted Rs.30 in taxes ...."
Worth
Horror gripped the heart of a World War-I soldier, as he saw his lifelong friend fall in battle. The soldier asked his Lieutenant if he could go out to bring his fallen comrade back. "You can go," said the Lieutenant, "but I don't think it will be worth it. Your friend is probably dead and you may throw your life away."
The Lieutenant's words didn't matter, and the soldier went anyway. Miraculously, he managed to reach his friend, hoisted him onto his shoulder and brought him back to their company's trench. The officer checked the wounded soldier, and then looked kindly at his friend.
"I told you it wouldn't be worth it," he said. "Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded." "It was worth it, Sir," said the soldier.
"What do you mean by worth it?" responded the Lieutenant. "Your friend is dead."
"Yes Sir," the soldier answered, " but it was worth it because when I got to him, he was still alive and I had the satisfaction of hearing him say...."Jim...I knew you'd come."
Many a time in our lives, whether a thing is worth doing or not really depends on how you look at it. Take up all your courage and do something your heart tells you to do so that you may not regret not doing it later in your life........ Make it a great week ahead!!!
The Lieutenant's words didn't matter, and the soldier went anyway. Miraculously, he managed to reach his friend, hoisted him onto his shoulder and brought him back to their company's trench. The officer checked the wounded soldier, and then looked kindly at his friend.
"I told you it wouldn't be worth it," he said. "Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded." "It was worth it, Sir," said the soldier.
"What do you mean by worth it?" responded the Lieutenant. "Your friend is dead."
"Yes Sir," the soldier answered, " but it was worth it because when I got to him, he was still alive and I had the satisfaction of hearing him say...."Jim...I knew you'd come."
Many a time in our lives, whether a thing is worth doing or not really depends on how you look at it. Take up all your courage and do something your heart tells you to do so that you may not regret not doing it later in your life........ Make it a great week ahead!!!
Business is Business!
One day many years ago at a school in South London a teacher said to the class of 5-year-olds, "I'll give $20 to the child who can tell me who was the most famous man who ever lived."
An Irish boy put his hand up and said, "It was St. Patrick." The teacher said, "Sorry Alan, that's not correct."
Then a Scottish boy put his hand up and said, "It was St. Andrew." The teacher replied, "I'm sorry, Hamish, that's not right either.
Finally, a Gujarati boy raised his hand and said, "It was Jesus Christ." The teacher said, "That's absolutely right, Jayant, come up here and I'll give you the $20."
As the teacher was giving Jayant his money, she said, "You know Jayant, since you are Gujarati, I was very surprised you said Jesus Christ." Jayant replied, "Yes, in my heart I knew it was Lord Krishna, but business is business!"
An Irish boy put his hand up and said, "It was St. Patrick." The teacher said, "Sorry Alan, that's not correct."
Then a Scottish boy put his hand up and said, "It was St. Andrew." The teacher replied, "I'm sorry, Hamish, that's not right either.
Finally, a Gujarati boy raised his hand and said, "It was Jesus Christ." The teacher said, "That's absolutely right, Jayant, come up here and I'll give you the $20."
As the teacher was giving Jayant his money, she said, "You know Jayant, since you are Gujarati, I was very surprised you said Jesus Christ." Jayant replied, "Yes, in my heart I knew it was Lord Krishna, but business is business!"
Building your life
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire.
He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business
to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family.
He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.
The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work.
He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials.
It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house.
Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked!
What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building.
Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built.
If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.
But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall.
Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project."
Your attitude and the choices you make today help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow.
Build wisely!
He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business
to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family.
He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.
The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work.
He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials.
It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house.
Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked!
What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building.
Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built.
If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.
But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall.
Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project."
Your attitude and the choices you make today help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow.
Build wisely!
Two choices
At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children,the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:
"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. "I believe,that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child."Then he told the following story:
Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked,"Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."
Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!"
Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"
Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet were screaming, "Shay, run home! Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
That day, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.
Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his Father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
AND, NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY:
We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people think twice about sharing. The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.
If you're thinking about forwarding this message,chances are that you're probably sorting out the people on your address list that aren't the "appropriate" ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference. We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the "natural order of things." So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up that opportunity to brighten the day of those with us the least able, and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?
A wise man once said - every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.
You now have two choices:
1. Delete
2. Forward
"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. "I believe,that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child."Then he told the following story:
Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked,"Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."
Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!"
Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"
Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet were screaming, "Shay, run home! Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
That day, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.
Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his Father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
AND, NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY:
We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people think twice about sharing. The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.
If you're thinking about forwarding this message,chances are that you're probably sorting out the people on your address list that aren't the "appropriate" ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference. We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the "natural order of things." So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up that opportunity to brighten the day of those with us the least able, and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?
A wise man once said - every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.
You now have two choices:
1. Delete
2. Forward
Excellent story!
One day while walking down the street a highly successful
Human Resources Manager was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her
soul
arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter
himself.
"Welcome to Heaven," said St. Peter. "Before you get settled
in though, it
seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've
never once had a
Human Resources Manager make it this far and we're not
really sure what to
do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," said the woman.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're
going to do is let
you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can
choose
whichever one you want to spend an eternity in."
"Actually, I think I've made up my mind, I prefer to stay in
Heaven", said
the woman
"Sorry, we have rules..."
And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and
it went
down-down-down to hell.
The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the
putting green
of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country
club and standing
in front of her were all her friends - fellow executives
that she had
worked with and they were well dressed in evening gowns and
cheering for
her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they
talked about old
times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night
went to the
country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and
lobster dinner.
She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kind
of cute) and she
had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having
such a good time
that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody
shook her hand and
waved goodbye as she got on the elevator.
The elevator went up-up-up and opened back up at the Pearly
Gates and found
St. Peter waiting for her.
"Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said. So she
spent the next 24
hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and
singing. She had
great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and
St. Peter came
and got her.
"So, you've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in
heaven. Now you
must choose your eternity,"
The woman paused for a second and then replied, "Well, I
never thought I'd
say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but
I think I had a
better time in Hell."
So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went
down-down-down
back to Hell.
When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself
standing in a
desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her
friends were
dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting
it in sacks.
The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her.
"I don't understand," stammered the woman, "yesterday I was
here and there
was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and
we danced and
had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage
and all my
friends look miserable."
The Devil looked at her smiled and told...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
"Yesterday we were recruiting you, today you're an
Employee"
ForwardSourceID:NT0001030A
Human Resources Manager was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her
soul
arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter
himself.
"Welcome to Heaven," said St. Peter. "Before you get settled
in though, it
seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've
never once had a
Human Resources Manager make it this far and we're not
really sure what to
do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," said the woman.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're
going to do is let
you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can
choose
whichever one you want to spend an eternity in."
"Actually, I think I've made up my mind, I prefer to stay in
Heaven", said
the woman
"Sorry, we have rules..."
And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and
it went
down-down-down to hell.
The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the
putting green
of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country
club and standing
in front of her were all her friends - fellow executives
that she had
worked with and they were well dressed in evening gowns and
cheering for
her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they
talked about old
times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night
went to the
country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and
lobster dinner.
She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kind
of cute) and she
had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having
such a good time
that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody
shook her hand and
waved goodbye as she got on the elevator.
The elevator went up-up-up and opened back up at the Pearly
Gates and found
St. Peter waiting for her.
"Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said. So she
spent the next 24
hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and
singing. She had
great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and
St. Peter came
and got her.
"So, you've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in
heaven. Now you
must choose your eternity,"
The woman paused for a second and then replied, "Well, I
never thought I'd
say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but
I think I had a
better time in Hell."
So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went
down-down-down
back to Hell.
When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself
standing in a
desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her
friends were
dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting
it in sacks.
The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her.
"I don't understand," stammered the woman, "yesterday I was
here and there
was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and
we danced and
had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage
and all my
friends look miserable."
The Devil looked at her smiled and told...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
"Yesterday we were recruiting you, today you're an
Employee"
ForwardSourceID:NT0001030A
First Date
I still remember the first date I ever went on in my life. Usually first dates are memorable to everyone but for me it was something that I can never forget. I went out for my first date with my high school crush when I was in class eleven. It was a day that I planned for weeks and finally she, Rachna, agreed to come out with me, Prasun Roy! In school who was famous for being a person with a cool attitude with no constraints from the family end, whose parents were more of buddies than dominating guardians! However the fact remained that I too was from a middle class family with core values and principles like all others.
Back home I lied to my parents that I was going out for a school excursion and managed to get the approval of my parents and finally the day arrived. After a short lunch at a funky restaurant, Rachna and I went hand in hand for a romantic movie.
Even in the darkness of the theatre hall I went lost in her blue eyes, glossy lips and hair that could drown ships bigger than the Titanic, maybe! She was the princess who was the incarnate of Diana, the goddess of love, for me and I hardly concentrated in the movie. Getting lost in her presence was more lucrative than the stars gleaming in the wide screen of the theatre.
We enjoyed the day in each other's presence and time seemed to pass with flights of fantasy for me. As the evening was drawing to a close we were roaming in the streets of "New Market" talking to each other, about each other. Life suddenly seemed so beautiful.
All of a sudden out of the forgotten multitude that was also walking in the same street I could see a familiar face quite distinct, why I didn't know. As realization embraced my consciousness I comprehended that the face of the person approaching me from the other side was of none other than but my FATHER!
Within a fraction of a second all romanticism vanished from my heart and a fear engrossed it instead. I could interpret in that short time the amount of humility and shame I would face suddenly as my father would recognize me, scold me after we meet, and that was inevitable! Apart from the scorn that I would face at home, I could also feel the embarrassment I would face in front of Rachna, who recognized as the cool guy ... in school as well as back home!
Crippled with the fear I only prayed that the earth would open up and I would hide there from all the humility. However there seemed no practical escape from it. Then some thing happened.
My father came near me, along with the now not-so-forgotten multitude, looked into my eyes as a stranger and passed by me rubbing his shoulder against mine and passed by without even recognizing me. It was the biggest shock and relief of my life. I still don't know which emotion was predominant at that moment.
After sometime, Rachna went away to her home oblivious of the fact what ever I just revealed, and I came back to mine.
At home that night, life seemed to me like a prison. I went for dinner with a fearful heart and a lost appetite. To my surprise, everything was so very normal. My mother served dinner and we all ate the usual way. This made my life more miserable. I quickly finished my food and went back to my room. Questions crowded my mind and I couldn't figure out what might have happened after my father came back home and revealed about my forged romantic rendezvous. Why everything was still so normal pained my mind even more!
Presently my father calmly came into my room and sat beside me. I looked into his eyes with fear in mine but discovered a smooth comfort in his! He soothingly asked, "So Sunny Boy, how was your date, I must say she was a pretty and sweet lady!"
Like somewhat mesmerized I revealed everything to him about my first date and added, "Dad, it was simply out of this world, but the day passed away like a few minutes!"
He smiled and said, "You know what, Albert Einstein once said ... Put your hand on a hot oven for a minute and it would seem like an hour; put your hand upon those of a pretty lady for an hour and it would seem like a minute! Now that's relativity. Its all relative, the fact is how much you cherish what you gained ... RIGHT! This is the biggest lesson of life my son"
I had never seen my father being like this before; he was more of a buddy than my guardian actually. I could feel within me that I would never ever be able to hide anything else from him, he actually understood me much more than my own self.
We talked for an hour and I would remember those words forever perhaps! I couldn't interpret whether it was my First Date with my dream girl or the First Date of knowing my father actually. However I knew that I realized how much I loved and respected my father after that. Just as he was leaving my room I called him and said "Thank You daddy! Thank you so much!"
Both of us knew what I was thankful for and required no mentioning. He turned towards me with his dreamy eyes and said these words...
"Hey son, how could I ever let you down my child, never! I would just say, whatever happens in life and whomever you love in your life and to whatever degree, you only remember one thing that your Daddy has loved you 18 years more than that. 18 years more than that dear!"
He switched off the light and went to his room. In the mild blue and gray of the moonlight ushering into my room through the window I too could feel one thing ... Yes, its truly 18 more years of Love, I, or any child, can never ever cover up! It was in fact my First Date, the first one of actually realizing the Love I had taken for granted for all those Eighteen Years perhaps! It truly was so.
Back home I lied to my parents that I was going out for a school excursion and managed to get the approval of my parents and finally the day arrived. After a short lunch at a funky restaurant, Rachna and I went hand in hand for a romantic movie.
Even in the darkness of the theatre hall I went lost in her blue eyes, glossy lips and hair that could drown ships bigger than the Titanic, maybe! She was the princess who was the incarnate of Diana, the goddess of love, for me and I hardly concentrated in the movie. Getting lost in her presence was more lucrative than the stars gleaming in the wide screen of the theatre.
We enjoyed the day in each other's presence and time seemed to pass with flights of fantasy for me. As the evening was drawing to a close we were roaming in the streets of "New Market" talking to each other, about each other. Life suddenly seemed so beautiful.
All of a sudden out of the forgotten multitude that was also walking in the same street I could see a familiar face quite distinct, why I didn't know. As realization embraced my consciousness I comprehended that the face of the person approaching me from the other side was of none other than but my FATHER!
Within a fraction of a second all romanticism vanished from my heart and a fear engrossed it instead. I could interpret in that short time the amount of humility and shame I would face suddenly as my father would recognize me, scold me after we meet, and that was inevitable! Apart from the scorn that I would face at home, I could also feel the embarrassment I would face in front of Rachna, who recognized as the cool guy ... in school as well as back home!
Crippled with the fear I only prayed that the earth would open up and I would hide there from all the humility. However there seemed no practical escape from it. Then some thing happened.
My father came near me, along with the now not-so-forgotten multitude, looked into my eyes as a stranger and passed by me rubbing his shoulder against mine and passed by without even recognizing me. It was the biggest shock and relief of my life. I still don't know which emotion was predominant at that moment.
After sometime, Rachna went away to her home oblivious of the fact what ever I just revealed, and I came back to mine.
At home that night, life seemed to me like a prison. I went for dinner with a fearful heart and a lost appetite. To my surprise, everything was so very normal. My mother served dinner and we all ate the usual way. This made my life more miserable. I quickly finished my food and went back to my room. Questions crowded my mind and I couldn't figure out what might have happened after my father came back home and revealed about my forged romantic rendezvous. Why everything was still so normal pained my mind even more!
Presently my father calmly came into my room and sat beside me. I looked into his eyes with fear in mine but discovered a smooth comfort in his! He soothingly asked, "So Sunny Boy, how was your date, I must say she was a pretty and sweet lady!"
Like somewhat mesmerized I revealed everything to him about my first date and added, "Dad, it was simply out of this world, but the day passed away like a few minutes!"
He smiled and said, "You know what, Albert Einstein once said ... Put your hand on a hot oven for a minute and it would seem like an hour; put your hand upon those of a pretty lady for an hour and it would seem like a minute! Now that's relativity. Its all relative, the fact is how much you cherish what you gained ... RIGHT! This is the biggest lesson of life my son"
I had never seen my father being like this before; he was more of a buddy than my guardian actually. I could feel within me that I would never ever be able to hide anything else from him, he actually understood me much more than my own self.
We talked for an hour and I would remember those words forever perhaps! I couldn't interpret whether it was my First Date with my dream girl or the First Date of knowing my father actually. However I knew that I realized how much I loved and respected my father after that. Just as he was leaving my room I called him and said "Thank You daddy! Thank you so much!"
Both of us knew what I was thankful for and required no mentioning. He turned towards me with his dreamy eyes and said these words...
"Hey son, how could I ever let you down my child, never! I would just say, whatever happens in life and whomever you love in your life and to whatever degree, you only remember one thing that your Daddy has loved you 18 years more than that. 18 years more than that dear!"
He switched off the light and went to his room. In the mild blue and gray of the moonlight ushering into my room through the window I too could feel one thing ... Yes, its truly 18 more years of Love, I, or any child, can never ever cover up! It was in fact my First Date, the first one of actually realizing the Love I had taken for granted for all those Eighteen Years perhaps! It truly was so.
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